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6 Jul 2015

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas set to join Porto

Iker Casillas is poised to move to Porto and unlock David de Gea's move to Real Madrid from Manchester United, according to national television in Spain.

TVE reported on Monday that the Portuguese side coached by Spaniard Julen Lopetegui have bid for Casillas and the Spain captain is giving the offer serious consideration.

Both De Gea and Real Manager Rafa Benitez are keen to have Casillas at another club before the start of next season so the controversy over who plays in goal at the Santiago Bernabeu does not overshadow the season as has happened in the last three campaigns.

Shifting Casillas from No 1 spot at Madrid has not been easy. A veteran of 25 seasons in which he has won five leagues, two Spanish Cups and three Champions Leagues, Casillas has clung on despite the efforts of first Jose Mourinho and later president Florentino Perez.

Benitez is not in favour of using one goalkeeper in the league and one goalkeeper in the Champions League as Carlo Ancelotti did two years ago, so if De Gea arrived it would mean the Spanish legend would be reduced to just playing Copa del Rey games.

Casillas is understood to see Porto as a good fit especially as they are coached by Lopetegui, who appeared as a keeper for Real Madrid and Spain.

Casillas' agent told Portuguese newspaper Record on Monday: 'Iker is enthusiastic about possibility of Porto. Real Madrid already has the proposal and know the will of Iker.'

TVE, who reported the offer, also reported last month that Real Madrid are willing to ensure Casillas earns the same at his new club over the next two seasons as he would have earned by staying at Madrid until the end of his contract in 2017.

This would be done by paying the difference between the £3.9million salary he earns at Madrid and what his new club are prepared to pay him.

Lopetugui already has six Spaniards in his squad and both his assistant coaches are Spanish. If Casillas completes the move he could even face Real Madrid in next season's Champions League.